By David Claybourn
Herald Banner Sports Editor
COMMERCE - They've got speedy backs and receivers and a big-play quarterback.
But without the stellar play of linemen such as Preston McDaniel, Chris Luckey, Ben Raed and Daniel Lane it's a cinch that the Commerce Tigers would not be 15-0 and playing in the Class 3A Division II state finals on Saturday at Texas Stadium.
They've made the blocks that have opened up big holes for quarterback Chad Anderson and running backs Avin Johnson and Ryan Sienty.
They've also been the ones to close the holes for the opposition like Crane, which was blanked 30-0 by Commerce in last week's state semifinals.
Commerce head coach Steve Lineweaver was quick to praise the Tigers' top linemen, including William Jones, Logan Coffey and Moses Santibanez.
"They have good football instincts and they love the game," he said. "They love the mental challenge of solving stunts and defensive schemes."
"We know if we do our job the backs are going to do theirs," said Lane, a 265-pound senior. "If we win the line we win the game."
McDaniel, a 220-pound senior, said the Tigers' linemen follow a longtime tradition at Commerce.
"Never quit. Keep on them until the echo of the whistle," he said.
The Tiger linemen do more than just block or tackle well, according to Lineweaver.
"They communicate as well as any line we've had," said the coach, who is 82-14-2 in six seasons at the helm of the Tigers. "They say, 'I got you and you take him.' The little line calls they make.
"They really enjoy the challenge of being cohesive," Lineweaver said.
That cohesiveness runs through the whole team.
"We've got a really good team," said Raed, a 211-pound senior.
"Good team unity. A team of brothers," said McDaniel.
"I think on any team that's good the offense line is going to be that way," Lineweaver said. "What else do they have? The backs get all the glory. They pretty much hang together."
Their communication skills and togetherness have helped the Tiger linemen overcome some bigger and stronger lines. Like those from Frisco and Sanger.
"Frisco was huge," said Raed.
Raed said the Sanger linemen were so tall he spent much of the game looking up.
The Tiger linemen agree, though, that Atlanta's linemen gave them the most trouble of any team Commerce has faced this season. Commerce won that one by only a 29-20 margin.
"Atlanta was the most aggressive," Raed said.
They'll be facing some more aggressive linemen from Sealy during Saturday night's state championship game at Texas Stadium. Sealy is also 15-0.
Sealy's offensive line averages 230 pounds per starter, including 280-pound tight end Sherwin Bassett. The Sealy defensive line averages 212 pounds per starter.
"They look quick and strong," McDaniel said.
"We've got to stay on our blocks and control the line," said Luckey.
Luckey, Raed, Lane and McDaniel were all members of the Commerce team that lost 28-21 to Sealy in the 1997 state finals.
McDaniel said it's a bad feeling coming off that playing field as the state runner-up.
"For the seniors and Coach we'd like to win it," he said.
That 1997 loss to Sealy was in the Astrodome in Houston.
Commerce also lost 21-20 to Sealy in the 1995 state finals in Waco.
Raed said the Tigers are glad to be playing at Texas Stadium for the third matchup between these two Class 3A powers.
"We like playing in Texas Stadium," he said. "Just being in a state game is pretty exciting."
Who says linemen can't have fun?